Chapter 1:
It was raining heavily and the avatar gang trudged along the banks of the Ta river heading north to the nearest earth kingdom.Appa flew low nearby with Aang on him.Whilst the others walked on the muddy path, slopping mud all around, Katara is an exception because she bended the mud and water away from her easily.
Thunder and lightning pervaded the skies as the young teens made their way painfully.
"Could this weather get any worse?" Sokka screamed over the din.Katara whipped a fresh batch of mud and rain water off her and became dry instantly.
"What's wrong with a little rain, Sokka? Are you chicken?" Toph asked from behind the water tribe warrior. Sokka jumped at her sight, she was wet and her hair hung infront of her face, sheilding her eyes.Her feet were covered in mud .She grinned toothily.Toph, earth bended the mud away from her legs and she was clean again.
"Oh shut up Toph. Aang, why can't we fly on Appa to the earth Kingdom?"
"Because Appa is too noticeable and besides the fire nation ships are in that city. We will be attacked as soon as they sighted us," Aang went to explain futhur.
"THen why go there?" Sokka shouted his words which drowned in the tumult of the skies.
" We need to find Bhumi and ask for the elemental scrolls, Sokka, for the millionth time!"
Katara shouted back at her brother who looked like he had just stepped out of a washing machine.
She neared the jungle edges seeking a shade under the trees, when her ears caught something strange and odd from inside the jungle. A baby's cries.She stopped in her tracks, but the others didn't notice her and went on. She looked in the dark jungle and heard the cries again.
" A baby's cry, what is a baby doing here at this time , in this rain?" She dashed into the jungle, following the voice of the baby.She was nearing the source and came upon a clearing.
At the clearing was a figure all cloacked in black.The figure was kneeling on the muddy ground, cradling something in a bundle. Katara neared the figure cautiously and spoke,
"What are you doing here in the rain with a baby?Don't you know its dangerous?"
The figure looked up, but its face was shadowed by the hood.Katara stopped when the figure stood up, it was tall and seemed to be a man.She raised her arms in case this man attacked her,but he merely neared her timidly.He stopped just a few steps away and handed her the bundle.
"Take care of him just for one day, then I will return for him
The man swayed slightly but steadied himself.He watched Katara who was holding the crying baby close to her chest.Katara was silent, but she looked in his hood, searching for the eyes of the man.But, he turned and walked away quickly, leaving her alone in the rain.Katara looked down at the child. He was covered by the the clothes that kept him shielded by the rain just a little. realising he need warmth and food, she dashed back to the others, just when they realised that she was missing.
"Katara, where did you go!?" Sokka shouted over the din.She neared them and sat beside Appa.
"I-I found- this-"
"What?" Sokka asked loudly, although the rain had dispersed and only showers were pouring.
"Be quiet Sokka! I found this baby in the jungle just now.I think we should-"
"OH NO! NO, NO and NO!" Sokka screamed.Katara scowled at her brother.
"I am keeping this child until we reach the city-Aang, what do you think?" she asked the avatar.Aang peered at the child who looked back at the with bright green eyes.As he saw Aang, he giggled and moved his tiny legs inside the wet bundle.Aang laughed and nodded.
"Sure, she's okay, I guess.."
"It's a he, Aang." Katara corrected.Sokka slapped his face irritably and groaned.Toph laughed as she took the baby and wrapped it in a clean and less wet clothes.
"This will be interesting," Toph said as Sokka started to list down all the negative things on bringing a baby on their trip.Aang joined in the rebuttal against Sokka, when Toph said, that this will prepare him for paternity.
As Sokka and Toph were arguing with Aang, Katara smiled and looked at the jungle.' Whose child is this? And why did the father leave him to me? What an irresponsible man?But, that man's voice was so... familiar. Where did I hear that voice?' she mused to herself, accutely unaware of the watchful gaze of the hooded man hidden in the shadows of the trees.He sighed to himself and walked away."I'll be back for you, I promise."
They made camp by the river, on a dry patch of land and kindled a steady fire.Sokka lay flat on his back and slept soundly on the ground.Nearby him, Aang dozed in a comfortable dream that only he was master of.Only Katara lay awake with the baby beside her.She had become very protective of the child and wouldn't allow anyone to even hold it.Only Toph could carry the child, besides her.
"What is his name?" Toph asked sleepily.Katara started.
" His name...I dunno.."
"Well, make one up then.You can't go around calling him 'It' or 'he',"Toph suggested.Katara raised on arm and rested her head on it.She looked down at the adorable sleeping child and stroked his soft brown hair."I think we should call him, Yuuro.Yeah, Yuuro sounds nice."
Toph shrugged and laid down to sleep," Whatever you choose."
"Yuuro,the child of the rain.How cute." she chuckled to herself.Yuuro moved in his blanket and then sneezed.Katara wondered who was cruel enogh to abandon this child and cursed that person for that.She pulled Yuuro close to her breast and slept soundly.
The hooded man ran through the jungle.He came to a cave and stopped infront of it panting terribly. He walked into the cave which had a fire going steadily.He sat on the ground and leaned his back on the cool cave wall.
"I am sorry you have to do this , I hope you gave him to the right person?" a portly old man spoke suddenly from the side of the cave. He glanced at the old man before letting out a quick sigh.
" Yes uncle, I gave it to the right person."
"Are you very positive that person will take good care of the baby, I mean, -"
"He's fine.I gave it to the right person.She'll take care of him well.I know that."
The old man watched the man as he took out his cloak and removed the hood.
"The boy was a gift of the gods for us , You must understand that to protect him, Anything goes. Even I am willing to give up my self to Ozai just to save this child," he paused,"And you."
"Uncle Iroh, I understand what you mean by that-"
" You may not be the father, but Suraaya gave him to you because she knew you will care for him. She saw that in you Zuko ,that you could care for little Toya as well as any father,"Iroh finished.
Zuko looked at his uncle with a strange light in his eyes," I will uncle, I promise you that."
Iroh nodded and walked near to the cave's entrance."When will you take Toya back from the guardian?"
Zuko looked into the fire silently,"Soon."